The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-09-21
Constitution Of Hundred Years Celebrated at
ths Cradle Of Liberty.
Third ard LIS! Day Of the Nations Grsltsst
and Bsss Anniversary.
Speeches Delivered in Independence Square in
Homer Of the Event.
Presideat ClevelAnd's Address to the As
sembied rhrouE-An Immense Gather
ins-Otber Exercises.


within the last eleven years. It was "me-
mortal day" A more charming day
would be hard to imagine. 1t wasSa tYpl-
cal September Gay, clear, cool aud bright.
The streets this morning were thronged
with people of all conditions Of color, sex,
and occupation.
On the stand in Independence square there
were represented every branch aud cOndi-
tion of life which goes to make up a ma
ton. Side by side were the chief mAgis-
trate, the highest ecclesiastical representa-
tives, the justices of the highest law triou.
nal, tie ministers extraordinary of foreign
powers, the nations Law makers, and rep
resentAtives of the army and navy and all
other departments of civil, military and
religious life. The stand in IDdepen-
dence square in the rear Of the
ola historical ball had q seating capacity
OF about 10000 and was filed early by
holders of tickets, which were necessary to
gain admission. At the front of the stand
facing south an enclosure was rallied of for
the President his party, the speakers and
Others. at the front and suspended so as
10 be inIfull view hung Photographic copy
of the original constitution. At the east
side OF tbs stand stood the quaint old high
backed chair occupied by George Washing
ton as the presiding officer of the Congress
which adopted that honored and venerated
document. Suspended from the back of
the chair was another copy of the nations
charter. At each side of the centre OF the
stand stood two neat bat not large flag
STATS, the eOlOTs OF each one being raised
in the honor of the army and navy re-
spectively as they came up the stand. At
the eastern side OF the structure sat the
marine band which for half al hour before
The exercises commenced, discoursed music
iuch as only that famous organization
could render.
At 1890 the gaIgutic chorus OFF,. 900 chill
dren, with 200 men as leading voices sang
patriotic air which brought them rounds
of applause. One of the first of the dis
tinRuIshed guess to arrive was the veneer
able Hannibal HamliD. Just as the bell
at the top OF the Independence Hall
marked the hour OF IL the childrens
chorus sent up three rousing cheers as
their tribute of love and venerarion for the
historic building. At just fourteen min
utes past IL the appearance of the presi-
dent and his wife at the head OF a double
column Of distinguished visitors created
perfect uproar of applause. As they came
down the center aisle owards the place in
front, the president leaned on the arm of
ex-Minister Kasson and directly behind
them came Mrs. Cleveland, leaning on the
arm of Thos NJ. Thompson. chairman of
committee on reception of the distin-
guished guests. Next came Secretary Bay
ard, Daniel Lamont and wife, and Secre-
tary FairchiId. After the president and
Mrs Cleveland had reached the stand a
general hand shaking with those whom
they recognized or we're recognized
by, took place, after which, in re-
multitude, they walked side by side to the
and bowed their acknowledgements
OF the compliments paid them.
1t seemed as though the cheering would
never die out. The earth almost trembled
H. A. ILL l.
At f1:25 after ell had reached the stand,
Bishop Potter arose, and being followed
by all of those who occupied the reserved
space with uncovered heads. mads the
opening pray er, reading from manuscript.
In the great noise and din it was sim oily
Impossible for even those near him to die
tingnish even a word. Just after tie
bishop had concluded his prayer Lieut.
General Philip n. Sheridan, with his aides
followed closely by Cardinal Glbbous,
Archbishop Ryan, and a number OF catho-
lie clergy men marched down the a le,
cbeeTed to the echo. When they had been
seated, and Hon. John a. Kasson, as Presi-
dent OF the Constitutional Centennial
commission, assumed his place, and, alter
hymn had been rendered by the chorus,
arose 10 make the Introductory address OF
the day. After hearty applause he spoke
bis remarks being puDctuated with many
demonstrations of appreciation.
Mrs. Cleveland sat almost in front of the
speakers position and was the cynosure OF
all eyes. She was neatly and handsomely
attired in close fitting dress OF cream tnd
brown colored plaid silk, aud wore a sty-
lish bonnet OF drab color, with ribbon
trimmings. Cardinal Gibbons, wearing
the Cardinal colors of his exalted Office,
sat at the side of the speakers and was one
of the most attentive listeners of the en-
tire asssmblsge. At the conclusion of Mr.:
Kssson's address the chorus sang appeal
to Truth by Schiller-Mendelssohn, with
beautiful effect.
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND SPEAKS.
At the conclusion of the song ex-Minis-
ter KGson escorted the President to the
speakers rostrum, and at 11:55 he CON-
menced q ten minute address which was
received with thunderous applause. His
enunciation was clear and perfect and his
voice rang out audibly to the thousands Of
ears He said: al deem 1t q very great
honor and pleasure to participate in these
citizen should on this centennial day re-
joice in his citizenship. He will not find
the cause of his rejoicing in the antiquity
of his country, for among the ma
z lions of the earth, his stands with
the youngest. He will not find
it in the glitter and pomp that bedsok a
monarch and dazzle abject and servile
themselves are rulers. He will not find it in
the story Of bloody foreign conquests-for
his government has been content to care
for IFS own domain and people. He should
rejoice because the work of framing our
constitution was completed one hundred
years ago to day, ana also because when
completed il established a free govern
ment He should rejoice because this
constitution and government have survived
with so many blessings and have demons.
trated so fully the strength and value oil
popular rule. He should rel DICE In the
wondrous growth and achievements Of the
past one hundred years, and also In the
glorious promise of the constitution
through centuries to come.
We shall fail to be duly thankful for al
that was done for US 100 years ago, unless
we realize the difficulties of the work then
in hand, and the dangers avoided in the
task Of forming q more perfect union be.
tween disjoined states with interests and
opinions radically diverse and stubbornly
maintained.
The perplexities Of the convention
which undertook the labor of preparing
our constitution are apparent in these
earnest words of enc of the most Illus
tricus Of It's members: tine small pro-
gress we have made after four or five week:
of close attendance and continued reasoa.
ing with each other, our different senti.
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